Tenpin setting apparatus



June 9, 1942. B. A. BALL TENPIN SETTING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheetl Feb. I. '2

June. 9,1, 1942-. B ,A. QALL TENPIN SETTING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 9, 1942 UNETED S'EA'i PATENT QFE EQE TENPIN SETTING APPARATUS Bernard A. Ball, Smethport, Pa. Appiication June 5, 1941, Serial No. 396,757

6 Claims.

This invention is particularly designed as an improvement over constructions patented to John Clayton Backus, and especially that of his Patent No. 1,319,035, granted October 21, 1919.

Thus, the invention has special reference to pin positioning blocks used in pin setting machines, and to the mountings for such blocks.

The Backus devices have been used long and successfully in pin setting machines. Nevertheless, the hard wear received by these parts, not only in performing their intended functions, but also in being struck by flying pins and moving balls, results in frequent damage.

My present invention retains the advantages of the Backus structure, and, at the same time, provides a construction less susceptible to damage and easier of replacement, than the device of the prior art.

The fixed hinge section by which the positioning blocks are mounted is substantially like this same part in the Backu machine. Further, the pintle supported by this fixed section is retained; but instead of being permanently secured in position, as in the said patent, is made readily removable, as will be explained fully below. The lifting springs are substantially like those of the Backus patent, but their functions are somewhat modified.

For convenience of study, the several figures of the drawings follow somewhat closely those of the said Backus patent, being changed only to the extent necessary to make my improvements clear. I

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a pin setter platform, with my improved positioning blocks arranged around pin openings therein.

Fig. 2 is a side view of one of the positioning devices, showing the same in full lines in lower position, and in broken lines in partially raised position.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of my improved positioning blocks.

Fig. 4 is another perspective view of a positioning block and its hinge, the essential parts of the latter being disconnected.

Fig. 4a is a section of a detail, the section being taken on the line 4a4a of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral It) represents a portion of a pin setter platform, with certain pin holes ll therein. Each hole, of which there are the usual number, is surrounded by a plurality of pin engaging blocks I l, each having a concave face 15, as best shown in Fig. 4. Three blocks for each hole are illustrated, but the number may vary; it is only necessary that there be sufficient blocks to position the pins properly.

As in the said Backus patent, the hinge arrangement comprises three principal parts, namely, the arms or brackets 26; a base 30, adapted to be secured to the pin platform I 0, and to which the arms or brackets 23 are pivoted; and springs 40, which normally hold the blocks M in pin engaging position.

The arms or brackets 29 are for the same purpose as the arms 5 of the said earlier Backus construction; they pivotally support the positioning blocks M on the hinge base 35. The arms 29 are secured to opposite sides of the blocks I 4, two to each block. Each arm comprises an upper part 2! (Fig. 4) having near the end thereof a pintle hole 22; and a downwardly extending broadened part 23 by which the arm is secured to the block Hi. This lower portion 23 has, as a part thereof or a part secured thereto, a right angular extension 24 (Fig. 3), provided with a hole by which it may be secured by a screw 25, or otherwise, to the rear of the pin positioning block I4. The right angular projection 24, which makes it possible to fasten each arm 2% to two sides of a block l4, and therefore to hold the same with great rigidity, is important, in view of the wear encountered by the positioning blocks, as mentioned above.

In my construction, the arms 2% differ further from those of the said Backus patent in that the slot 6 of Backus is replaced by pintle hole 22, and the spring-holding notch 1 is dispensed with altogether. The bottom edge of the arm is smooth and unbroken. The blocks [4, and their attached arms, are still made removable and replaceable, but the means by which the replacement can be effected, and the means for holding the parts in place, are much improved.

The other member of the hinge, that with which the arms 20 cooperate, is quite like the corresponding member in the said Backus patent. Each member comprises a base plate 30, perforated at 3| to receive fastening devices by which it is secured to the pin platform. A flange 32 depends from the plate 3%), adjacent the positioning block M, and is provided with stops 33, one on each side thereof, adapted to contact the arms 20. Plate 39 also carries ears or depending flanges 34, perforated at 35 to receive a removable pintle 35.

The pintle 36 of my invention is readily removable, and in this respect differs from the corresponding Backus member which was permanently fixed in position. The pintle shown in the accompanying drawings is a simple cotter pin, but it is to be understood that this is illustrative only; other forms of pintles can be used, it being necessary only that they be such as will permit quick and easy withdrawal and replacement.

It will be observed, therefore, that it is not intended that the arms shall have a sliding engagement with the pintle, as in Backus, but rather that the pintle shall be withdrawn from one side of the assembly, when it is necessary to replace some element, and then re-inserted through the pintle holes provided in the ears 34 and the arms 20.

Simple coiled springs 46 are freely mounted on the pintle 36. One end 4| of each spring presses against the under side of the hinge member 30, and the other end 42 extends toward the positioning block 14, and has a bent portion 43 which extends beneath the smooth surface of the part 2| of the arm 29, so that it may lift the same. These springs are substantially the same as those shown by Backus in his patent referred to.

The springs of Backus, however, perform two functions: first, they raise the arms (5 in the patent) and, second, through the engagement of their hooked ends with the notches in the arms, they hold the pintle in place in the slots in the ends of the arms. This last mentioned function has been found to be an undue strain on the springs, and the hooks frequently break off.

My invention avoids this objection, for the springs of the present structure do not operate in any capacity to hold the parts together. Their sole function is to lift the arms 20 and the cooperating block i4.

To limit the upward, movement of the arms 2i], the base of the hinge section 3i! is extended on both sides, as at 3?, so as to extend over the arms and provide stops therefor. Moreover, when the blocks M are at rest, the tops thereof may abut against the under side of the pin platform It. These two stopping means cooperate to hold the pin positioning blocks in exact elevated position.

Attention is invited to a strengthening feature of the arms 28. As here shown, each arm member is provided with a bead or rib 50, formed from the body of the member, by a die or otherwise; There is a limit to the height to which such ribs may in practice be raised, but it is easy to raise them the thickness of the metal, and even more. I do not limit my construction to ribs of any particular formation or elevation.

From the above, it will be apparent that to remove a pin positioning device, it will be necessary only to withdraw the pintle 38; the springs 40 will drop out, and the block l4 and its arms 20 can be removed. To replace, a block with its attached arms is held in position, the pintle is inserted through one opening 34 in hinge member 39, through pintle hole 22 in one arm 20, through the springs 45, and through the other pintle hole 22 and opening 34; the bent portions 43 of the springs 43 are then hooked under the portions 2| of the arms 29.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A hinge for the pin positioning member of a pin setting machine, comprising a member adapted to be rigidly secured to a pin platform and having lugs one on each side thereof with pintle holes therein, a pintle in the pintle holes, another member having pintle holes therein pivotally mounted on the pintle, and a helical spring on the pintle having one end engaged with the first mentioned member and the other beneath the second mentioned member so as to lift the same.

2. A hinge for the pin positioning member of a 5 pin setting machine, comprising a member adapted to be secured to the pin platform, a removable pintle mounted in said member, elongated hinge members one for each side of the said, member, the one end of each elongated member being provided with a perforation through which the pintle may pass, and the other end thereof having a flat side by which it may be secured to the side of the pin positioning member and a right angled flange by which it may be secured to the back of the pin positioning member.

3. A hinge for the positioning member of a pin setting machine, comprising a base member adapted to be secured to the pin platform and having a depending flange with a hole therein on each side of the base member, a removable pintle in the holes of said depending flanges, a depending flange having stop ledges thereon secured to or formed as a part of the base member, supporting arms in pairs each arm having at or near one end thereof a pintle hole through which the pintle is adapted to pass freely, and each arm terminating at the other end in a widened portion by which it may be secured to one side of a pin positioning member and having a flange arranged at an angle to the widened portion by which it may be secured to the next adjacent side of the pin positioning member, and a pair of coiled springs having their coils surrounding the pintle and one arm of each spring engaging against the base member of the hinge and the other end of each spring engaged with the under side of a supporting arm, so as to lift the arm and hold the pin setting member in operative position.

4. As an article of manufacture, a supporting arm for the pin positioning member of a pin setting machine, comprising a portion with a pintle hole near one end thereof and having an upper edge and a relatively smooth and unbroken lower edge, another widened portion merging into the first mentioned portion andhaving perforations therein through which it may be secured to the positioning member, and a lug secured to the latter portion at an angle thereto and having a perforation therein through which this lug may be secured to the positioning member.

5. As an article of manufacture, a supporting arm for the pin positioning member of a pin setting machine, comprising a portion with a pintle.

hole near one end thereof and having an upper edge and a relatively smooth and unbroken lower edge, another widened portion merging into the first mentioned portion and having perforations therein through which it may be secured to the positioning member, a lug secured to the latter portion at an angle thereto and having a perforation therein through which this lug may be secured to the positioning member, and a strengthening rib extending throughout substantially the length of the arm.

6. In a pin setting machine, the combination of a pin platform having pin holes therein, pin positioning members beneath the platform and adjacent the pin holes, and hinges one for each pin positioning member, each comprising a member secured to the under side of the platform and having a depending flange on each side thereof with a hole therein, a removable pintle mounted in the holes in the said flanges; ledges one on each side of said member adjacent the said depending arranged at an angle to the widened portion of the arm which flange is secured to another side of the pin positioning member, and a pair of coiled springs surrounding the pintle with one arm of each spring engaging against the first mentioned hinge member and the other arm of each spring engaging with the relatively smooth lower edge of a supporting arm so as to lift the arm and hold the pin positioning member in operative position.

BERNARD A. BALL. 

